(Photo Lindsay O’Neil)

For All Seasons: A Lesson on Worship

By Hannah Darrow

When I graduated high school one year ago, I could not have imagined all the change that was about to come my way. I was so excited for my future in college that I did not even think about what kinds of obstacles I would face. Through graduating and leaving the high school I knew and loved, moving away to a college in a new city, getting a job, moving back home to commute to a new school, and then going through a really tough breakup – my life felt too chaotic to put into words.

I soon hit a very low point. Constantly, I had people tell me that they were proud of how I was handling it all. It was encouraging to hear, but did not change the fact that I was having a really hard time. Too often as Christians, we think we have to have it all together to show people that Jesus makes our lives perfect with Him involved. We forget that He did not promise that life would be easy, but he promised that He has overcome all our trials and changes.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

I’ll just say it – change is hard and scary. Not knowing what is going to happen within certain circumstances is overwhelming. Change is not going to be fun all the time. It’s emotionally and physically draining, painful, and confusing. Maybe you have experienced something similar to me in the past couple of years. Here’s the thing – I want to encourage you to still live for Jesus in your mess. When people see you constantly going through change and hardship, but still keeping Jesus number one, they will see something different in you.

When I’m in seasons of constant change, I remind myself of Job in the Bible. Reading through the book of Job encourages me. He was a man of God, and the enemy knew it. Satan told God that if He took away blessings from Job, then he would turn from Him. So God agreed because He knew Job’s heart. Sure enough, even though he lost his family, wealth, his health, and more, Job worshipped the Lord. The only constant through all the change was Jesus, and he praised Him for it! This always encourages me to look to Jesus in times of change.

“…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

– Job 1:21

Job’s friends and wife were shocked at how he handled it all. They could not believe that he praised God when God did not seem present. Job knew that God was still there, even in the suffering. When you go through trials, remind yourself that people are watching you. If you claim to follow Jesus, and you praise Him through the hard seasons too, it will encourage them. You can make a difference without even knowing it.

I hope this encourages you if you are in a hard, chaotic season. The Lord is the only aspect that can remain constant. Let Him into your mess. Surrender all your hurts and worries to Him – and live in the freedom that Jesus has granted us. If we want to leave a legacy for the Lord, we must praise Him in the highs and in the lows.